Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume: 15 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 147-153
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20251219
Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol Dependence Among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dr. Sudheera Sulgante1, Dr. Swetha Kunkeri2, Dr. Baburao C. Markhal3, Dr. Mahesh B. Tondare4, Dr. Praveen Ganganahalli5
1Associate Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Maheshwara Medical College & hospital, Sangareddy
2Associate Professor, Dept of Psychiatry, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar – Karnataka
3Assistant Professor, Dept of Psychiatry, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar – Karnataka
4Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar – Karnataka
5Professor (Additional), Dept of Community Medicine, BLDE(DU) Shri. B. M. Patil Medical College, Vijayapura – Karnataka
Corresponding Author: Dr. Mahesh B. Tondare
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Adolescence is a critical period in which exposure to adversities such as poverty, family conflict and negative life experiences (e.g. violence) can have long-term emotional and socio-economic consequences for adolescents, their families and communities. Substance use, including alcohol, is typically established during adolescence and this period is peak risk for onset and intensification of substance use behaviours that pose risks for short- and long-term health.
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol dependence among medical students and to explore the reasons and identify demographic and psychosocial correlates for alcohol use and dependence among young students.
Methodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted among the Undergraduate medical students of tertiary care medical college of North Karnataka by using structured proforma consisting of Socio-demographic profile, Alcohol consumption details & Psychosocial assessment tools The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21).
Results: Majority of the participants belongs to the age group of 21 to 23 years (54%). Around 88 (38%) were currently alcohol users whereas 52 (22%) never consumed alcohol and 90 (38%) never consumed alcohol. DASS-21 scores, nearly half of the participants fall into the normal category whereas remain students were having one or different categories of depression, anxiety or stress. Very few number (<10%) of students were having sever or extremely sever forms.
Conclusion: Alcohol consumption was strongly and consistently linked to greater levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, there was a higher likelihood of moderate to severe psychological discomfort among male students and those living in dorms.
Key words: prevalence, alcohol dependence, medical students, DASS-21